Edge's Grow Journal

[Edge05]

Hello everyone!
I'm new to the forums and a jounal sounds like a great idea to me. This is going to be a fun learning experience for sure. I can't wait to become more skilled at it.

Here is my current setup
2 x 4 gorilla grow tent
6in infinity extractor fan vented outside
Mars hydro reflector 144 720w/300 draw
24w T5 HO single bulb
6in clip on fan and 10in floor fan

I pick up a humidifier and dehumidifier with an automated controller (money well spent i think)
Thats all the basic stuff besides all the small things, altho i will probly invest in a window ac unit this summer.

I wish I had started this log from day one, but here is where i am at.

I started my germination on March 3rd. My seeds arrived from amsterdam. I picked 2 blueberry and a blackberry kush to grow. I plan on keeping 2 of them in 5 gal pots, i made an xtra incase one dies experimenting.

I soaked them in water for 6 hours. Only the blackberry sank. Afterwards i put them folded in a moist paper towel and covered with plates. They were then set on my seedling mat inside a dome. I saw taproots 1/8th size within 24 hours and then planted them into solo cups with happy frog soil. It was very exciting to see them move the dirt.

My tent temp is a steady 68-72 degrees and my RH is steady 45-56 with my controller setup.

Once they broke ground on March 7th I left them in the dome for a day then removed it. I then placed my t5 light about 6 inches away which is on 24/0 and will change to 18/6 once the big light goes in. I also turned a fan on.

Long story but now we are up to speed i can make daily posts about tending to them. I look forward to hearing from you!

 

[Edge05]

Seedling Day 3
70 Degrees, 50RH
Today I noticed the leaves were drooping and curling really bad on one of the plants. After research i learned these fall off, but in the process realized i was overwatering them and read about proper water techniques. I am going to let them dry out. I also got a soil tester to see how wet it is.

I noticed they seem very lanky so i moved the light within inches of them.

The blackberry seems to be doing the best so far in the first 2 pics.

Blue #1 I repotted for experiment.(Hopefully doesnt hurt it too bad) I thought I was drownding it the worst because the leaves were curling really bad, later reading those fall off, but this soon? Pics 3 and 4

Blue #2 in the last pic has yet to show broad leaves, but was also planted with the shortest taproot when started.

 

[Edge05]

- I have also been using water that is around 6.5 PH with a droplet tester. Im already wanting an electonic one.

- The 5gal pots I'm going to be using are plastic, but was looking into fabric possibly.

I think things will go good once i get the watering down and light distance.

 

[Edge05]

Seedling day 4
70 degrees, 50RH
I took a peek this morning.
The soil is still drying out on Blackberry and Blueberry #2. I misted Bluberry #1 with one bottle spray as it was bone dry.

They have all stopped streaching since the light was put an inch away.

-Blackberry has more broadening leaves.
-Blueberry #1 is bouncing back from trying to transplant into dryer soil with leaves perking back up!!
-Blueberry #2 seems unchanged

 

[jodyhighrollr]

What are you using for a medium and nutes? I would try to get your RH up higher if you can.

 

[Edge05]

What are you using for a medium and nutes? I would try to get your RH up higher if you can.

I am using Happy Frog soil with no additives. In the next pot i plan on using perlite. I havent used any nutes yet. I hear to wait 2 or 3 weeks with this soil. I am still reading about how to use nutes. This is what I will be using.

I can adjust my humidity up some more, i will go do that now. Thank you

 

[jodyhighrollr]

I am using Happy Frog soil with no additives. In the next pot i plan on using perlite. I havent used any nutes yet. I hear to wait 2 or 3 weeks with this soil. I am still reading about how to use nutes. This is what I will be using.

I can adjust my humidity up some more, i will go do that now. Thank you

Yeah the first few weeks the nutrients in the soil will be enough possibly even too much. I have no experience with happy frog but from what I understand it's really hot and could potentially be too hot for seedlings. Your seedlings look good right now and I wouldn't stress it too much but I believe most people I know who use that will start in something like promix and transplant into that once the roots and plant is established. Fingers crossed your it's not too much.. but like I said I have never used it myself so I could be wrong

 

[Edge05]

Yeah the first few weeks the nutrients in the soil will be enough possibly even too much. I have no experience with happy frog but from what I understand it's really hot and could potentially be too hot for seedlings. Your seedlings look good right now and I wouldn't stress it too much but I believe most people I know who use that will start in something like promix and transplant into that once the roots and plant is established. Fingers crossed your it's not too much.. but like I said I have never used it myself so I could be wrong

I have read that Fox Farm Happy Frog is good for seedlings and it is the Fox Farm Ocean Forest that runs hot, I will hope I researched right.

 

[Edge05]

Seedling day 5
73 degrees 60RH
The plants looked and felt dry and my soil tester said they were as well. After 2 and a half days i watered again. I spayed a little, waited, sprayed some more, until i saw small amount come out the bottom which i wiped up. I will wait until they are dry again before watering.

-Blackberry is looking great!

-Blueberry #1 is growing more, even after repotting and looking good.

-Blueberry #2 has yet to show bread leaves. Instead there is something purpleish growing? Any ideas?

My light is on 24/0 to help with warmth being cold in michigan. Also my furnace been acting up. Lowest temp was 64 degree for 3 or so hours. Usually steady 68-72.

Leaves seem to be broading more and are still within an inch of the 24w t5 not getting any taller. I assume they are working on rooting for now. Would the light limit this growth only being 24watt? As i can always toss in the big light.

 

[Carcass]

Welcome to 420,Edge05-

Blueberry#1 looks like she didn't like the transplant,but she'll perk up in a week or so..

Blueberry#2-those purplish things are the leaves starting to develop,she's probably just a slow starter.

Your watering seems about right for their size-way more seedlings have been drowned than have died of thirst-they can't use much water,so they don't need much water.

If the light wasn't at least adequate,they'd be stretching toward it,and you say they're not growing, (stretching) so you're ok for now with the t5. (hard to tell how tall they are now from the overhead pics)

Good luck with the rest of the grow,looks like you're doing pretty well so far!

 

[Emilya Green]

cool! A new journal! Pulling up a chair!

 

[Edge05]

Welcome to 420,Edge05-

Blueberry#1 looks like she didn't like the transplant,but she'll perk up in a week or so..

Blueberry#2-those purplish things are the leaves starting to develop,she's probably just a slow starter.

Your watering seems about right for their size-way more seedlings have been drowned than have died of thirst-they can't use much water,so they don't need much water.

If the light wasn't at least adequate,they'd be stretching toward it,and you say they're not growing, (stretching) so you're ok for now with the t5. (hard to tell how tall they are now from the overhead pics)

Good luck with the rest of the grow,looks like you're doing pretty well so far!

Thank you for the input, much appriciated ! Honestly thought the transplant died, why is it heartbreaking its just a plant haha. I assume when they try to keep touching the light and the leaves reach up they are ready for more light? My watering habbits were terrible until i read @Emilya watering guide. So hats off to you for saving them!

 

[Carcass]

Emilya's watering guide has steered a lot of folks away from doing the wrong thing.

 

[Chopss420]

Hello Edge05, I too am pulling up a chair. I am going to post this picture of my nursery so you can see just what the lowly t5 can do.

There are two fixtures with 8 bulbs with a total of 30000 lumens, but I still have yet to fire up my real light lol. My plants are behind, but I think that has more to do with my watering early on and less about the lights. All things considered, I’ve really been impressed with these lights for early veg. I have been keeping my lights between 10” away for small seedlings and 6” for the established plants.

 

[Edge05]

Hello Edge05, I too am pulling up a chair. I am going to post this picture of my nursery so you can see just what the lowly t5 can do.

There are two fixtures with 8 bulbs with a total of 30000 lumens, but I still have yet to fire up my real light lol. My plants are behind, but I think that has more to do with my watering early on and less about the lights. All things considered, I’ve really been impressed with these lights for early veg. I have been keeping my lights between 10” away for small seedlings and 6” for the established plants.

Looking very nice! I am almost wondering if i should get a 2nd bulb setup to hold out on using the led longer and save electricity. Mine is currently one bulb at 24watt HO and seems a bit weak since they have to be within an inch away, but i am new to this so I guesse I will know if they try to high five the light soon!

 

[Pbass]

Looking good, love those little greenies! Im in, luck to your grow! Cheers!

 

[Chopss420]

Looking very nice! I am almost wondering if i should get a 2nd bulb setup to hold out on using the led longer and save electricity. Mine is currently one bulb at 24watt HO and seems a bit weak since they have to be within an inch away, but i am new to this so I guesse I will know if they try to high five the light soon!

Well, I will say that you may want to provide some more light. Idk what kind of an led you have, but if you could turn down the power for the amount of light needed currently, then I dont know that it would be that much more expensive to run. For me the understanding that all lights have a limited lifespan causes me to want to run my cheaper alternative whenever possible. I am also working on getting a perpetual grow going and hope to be able to keep my mommas just under the t5’s. If you are interested in getting a new light, I am very happy with mine. The small look light on the left is a Tek2, it has two u shaped t5 bulbs that are more like 4 bulbs and I believe it was less than $70, and the other is an agro 6 bulb t5. Good luck, I was in the same boat not long ago, and am not really that far ahead lol. I will say that it does get easier, but the idk if i’ve actually made it to any hard parts yet...only time will tell.

 

[Edge05]

Well, I will say that you may want to provide some more light. Idk what kind of an led you have, but if you could turn down the power for the amount of light needed currently, then I dont know that it would be that much more expensive to run. For me the understanding that all lights have a limited lifespan causes me to want to run my cheaper alternative whenever possible. I am also working on getting a perpetual grow going and hope to be able to keep my mommas just under the t5’s. If you are interested in getting a new light, I am very happy with mine. The small look light on the left is a Tek2, it has two u shaped t5 bulbs that are more like 4 bulbs and I believe it was less than $70, and the other is an agro 6 bulb t5. Good luck, I was in the same boat not long ago, and am not really that far ahead lol. I will say that it does get easier, but the idk if i’ve actually made it to any hard parts yet...only time will tell.

The light i have can be daisy chained to another one. It was the last one at the shop and not sure if they got more in. Maybe ill stop in wirhin a few days and see. The led is a mars hydro reflector 144 720watt with 300w actual draw. Bit of a step up from 24 watt unless i hang it very high up. I cant even look at the thing when its on i had to buy uv glasses. It sure is interesting learning all this.

 

[Chopss420]

The light i have can be daisy chained to another one. It was the last one at the shop and not sure if they got more in. Maybe ill stop in wirhin a few days and see. The led is a mars hydro reflector 144 720watt with 300w actual draw. Bit of a step up from 24 watt unless i hang it very high up. I cant even look at the thing when its on i had to buy uv glasses. It sure is interesting learning all this.

Well, hopefully they have some more in stock. I completely understand the want to keep everything simple and being able to daisy chain is certainly simple. Yes, in my opinion your led would be overkill right now, but I may not be experienced enough to truly answer.

 

[Edge05]

Seedling Day 6
70 Degrees 55 RH
No need to water today.
They seem the same distance from the light. Maybe a hair closer. I will pickup another light to daisy chain tomorrow and have 2 side by side.

Getting bigger! Blackberry and Blueberry #1 are showing a second set of leaves!!! Blueberry #2 is still looking weird.
Stalks are looking a darker brown.

I had some free time today waiting on the furnace guy so i put together a trellis, of which the legs will need to be shortend when the time comes.